Difference between revisions of "MS-LS4-4"

From NY Science Standards Wiki
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:MS-LS4-4 {{!}} Genetic Variation and Survival}}
 
 
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| topic = Genetic Variation and Survival
 
| ls = Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific
 
| ls = Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific
 
environment.
 
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! style="padding: 0.5em 1.5em;" | Question
 
! style="padding: 0.5em 1.5em;" | Question
 
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| style="background-color:white;" | [[Spring 2026 Grade 8 Science Test|Spring 2026]]
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| style="background-color:white;" | [[Spring 2026 Grade 8 Science Test|Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes|Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes|Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q1|Question 44]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes#q1|Question 44]]
 
|-
 
|-
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| style="background-color:white;" | [[Spring 2024 Grade 8 Science Test|Spring 2024]]
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| style="background-color:white;" | [[Spring 2024 Grade 8 Science Test|Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Respiration|Respiration]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Respiration|Respiration]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Respiration#q5|Question 43]]
 
| style="background-color:white;" | [[Questions:Respiration#q5|Question 43]]
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| TOPIC = MS. Natural Selection and Adaptations
 
| TOPIC = MS. Natural Selection and Adaptations
 
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<metadesc>NYS Standard MS-LS4-4: Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.</metadesc>
 

Revision as of 13:04, 13 October 2026

Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on using simple probability statements and proportional reasoning to construct explanations.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-LS4-4 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam Cluster Question
Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes Question 44
Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test Respiration Question 43

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-LS4-4 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Identify an explanation based on evidence that describes how a variation in a genetic trait in a given population may cause an increase in some individuals’ probability of surviving and/or reproducing.
Level 2: Identify the evidence that supports the explanation that a variation in a genetic trait in a given population increases some individuals’ probability of surviving and/or reproducing in a specific environment.
Level 3: Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population causes an increase in some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.
Level 4: Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population causes an increase in some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment, and explain why these traits would appear more frequently in future generations.


Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-LS4-4.

Pixel beaver This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.


NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-LS4-4 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices
  • Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
    • Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that describe phenomena.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
  • LS4.B: Natural Selection
    • (NYSED) Natural selection can lead to an increase in the frequency of some traits and the decrease in the frequency of others.
Crosscutting Concepts
  • Cause and Effect
    • Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some cause and effect relationships in systems can only be described using probability.
MS | MS. Natural Selection and Adaptations